If there is one city you ought to go to in Norway, Bergen is our choice. And when you see all of the remarkable things to do in Bergen, you’ll concur!
I’ll always remember driving into the town center of Bergen for the very first time. Seeing the vibrant structures of Bryggen lining the waterside surrounded by the 7 mountains added to that tingling of wanderlust that nipped at my awareness. Bergen was our very first drop in Scandinavia and it made rather the impression. Its appeal, history, and place
We invested 4 days in Bergen, Norway, and discovered it was simply sufficient time to make the most of all the leading traveler destinations, and after that some!
Leading Things to do in Bergen, Norway
Vibrant structures, old-world architecture, and a mountainous background produced picture-perfect views. For outside enthusiasts, Bergen has all of it. It’s a city surrounded by 7 mountains and the Norwegian Fjords. It’s an initiation rite for citizens to trek all 7 mountains in one day, however visitors can quickly top 2 mountains in one day. Urlikan Mountain and Mount Fløyen can either be summited by treking to the leading or taking the cable television vehicle or trolley. They have something for everybody.
So are you prepared to check out Bergen, let’s take a look at all the most popular things to see and do!
A great way to get familiarized with the city is to Bergen Hop-on-Hop-off trip. Check out Norway’s second-largest city with stops on top traveler destinations. There are 13 drop in overall that you can stop and check out consisting of the Hanseatic Museum the Edward Grieg Museum, The old Bergen Exchange, and the Mount Floyen Funicular. It’s an excellent intro to the city’s leading destinations.
1. Check out the Streets of Bryggen
The top place you ought to go to in Bergen is the historical center of Bryggen. Bryggen is a fairy tale town of historical wood homes lining the waterside. This historical quarter of Bergen is a UNESCO World Heritage Website and with excellent factor. It is likewise the very best location to start to check out Bergen.
We made a base at Clarion Havnekontoret Bergen on the wharf on the opposite side of the bay looking towards Bryggen. Since of our place, we were within strolling range from all over we walked trip to Bryggen to explore this picturesque World Heritage Website and find out of its Hanseatic History.
Bryggen is among the earliest port cities in Northern Europe and it has actually been perfectly brought back. 62 wood homes stay undamaged providing visitors a glance into the world of the Hanseatic League’s trading empire that ruled this location from the 14th to the mid-16th century
While the structures are stunning to take a look at, the history is much more remarkable. The wharf is open to the general public and can be gone into free of charge. The structures of Bryggen have actually seen numerous fires given that its facility in 1070, however much of the old town has actually endured given that the 1700s. It’s a lovely walk through the narrow streets taking you immediately back in time to the minute you stepped foot on the old wharf.
This extremely ranked strolling trip let’s you find Bergen with a regional guide as you weave your method through the historical town and discover surprise gems. We constantly like walking trip when we reach a brand-new city to get the within scoop of the leading destinations.
2. Hanseatic Museum
There is a factor that Bryggen is among the star destinations in Beren, there is a lot to see in this little corner of the city. We began our trip of Bryggen at the Hanseatic Museum where we found out about the Hanseatic culture. The Hanseatic League ran Bryggen in the Middle Ages and was a flourishing merchant society and the town ended up being a crucial trading center.
At the minute the Hanseatic Museum is being brought back however it has actually been moved and you can still get a glance into it. Repair is to be finished in 2024. The structure go back to 1704 and remediation is occurring to bring back the wood structure.
You can go to the short-term museum at the assembly halls of the Hanseatic merchants at Bryggen. You’ll see the cookhouses, exhibits and a middle ages destroy.
Get instructions on Google MapsFor an extensive trip of the Hanseatic History book a strolling trip with Get Your Guide. Free cancellation with 24 hr and last-minute reservations!
3. Fløibanen Funicular to Mount Fløyen
If you are just in Bergen for a brief time, you should a minimum of take the funicular as much as Mount Fløyen. The base of the funicular lies right downtown and you will be at the top of the mountain in twelve minutes.
This uses another stunning view of Bergen and here there are likewise treking tracks to take you to among the other 7 mountains surrounding the city. It’s a charming afternoon sitting at the top, examining the Norwegian Sea and drinking a coffee on the outside patio area. Do not forget to search for the resident mountain goats.
Make certain you stroll along the course or to the bottom of the terraced actions to take pleasure in seeing cut mountain goats scuttling and chewing on turf and leaves. Going to the top of this mountain is without a doubt among the leading destinations in Bergen and it is not to be missed out on.
4. Urliken Cable Television Cars And Truck– Urlikan Mountain
We had actually heard that sundown up Ulriken Mountain was the very best location to see the city, so we made our method to the cable television vehicle for amazing breathtaking views of Bergen. When we succeeded, we were impressed at the variety of residents that had actually raised rather of taking the cable television vehicle.
You can take a regional bus, however with minimal time, we captured the traveler bus to the base of the mountain. It’s faster however more pricey. Everybody speaks best English in Norway, so it was simple to ask the motorist for details. He even revealed us where to buy tickets for the cable television vehicle at the kiosk once we got to the base of the mountain.
If we had actually gotten to the mountain previously, we would have absolutely made the most of the limitless treking tracks. We were informed that we might trek all the method to the funicular closer to the city in a couple of brief hours.
See it on Google MapsHow to Arrive: Capture the traveler bus from the center of Bergen. You can likewise trek to the top from Bergen or take the regional bus.
5. Ziplining and Paragliding from Urlikan
If you have time and are searching for something thrilling to do in Bergen, there is a zipline that takes you over the mountain vista from the top of Urlikan. And paragliders were skyrocketing overhead for sundown.
As the last zipliners completed their trips and the last of the paragliders skyrocketed overhead, we took in the magnificent view, feeling grateful to start our journey in incredible style.
6. Go To KODE Museums
Bergen has an exceptional museum district and the leading museum in Bergen is the complex of Kode Museums. What makes it special is it not just homes art, however it is likewise a collection of authors’ houses. KODE is among Scandinavia’s biggest museums for art, style, and music. It is comprised of 4 museums, KODE 1, 2, 3 and 4.
There are 4 various museums showing whatever from contemporary art to furnishings, music and arts and crafts. KODE lies right in the town hall and is a should to go to.
Merely searching the outsides is fascinating enough however absolutely make certain to go within to see the work of arts from the similarity Dahl, Astrup and Munch.
Kode 1 opened in 1896 and is the museum of craft and style. If you wish to have something to consume there is the dining establishment Bien Centro too.
Kode 2 homes short-term exhibits and was finished in 1978. It likewise has a substantial book shop on architecture and style.
Kode 3 is the star destination of the Kode Museums (in our viewpoint) It houses the collection by Edvard Munch and the Golden Era of Norwegian Art. Kode 3 opened in 1924 and has numerous historical artifacts from the Bergen location.
Kode 4 at the minute is closed for restorations till additional notification. There isn’t an upgrade on when it will open.
7. Commemorate Edvard Munch
We weren’t going to go to Bergen without seeing Edvard Munch. If museums are your thing, then keep your hat due to the fact that you simply hit the mark. Bergen Kode number 3 has among the biggest and essential Munch collections worldwide.
If you do not understand him, Munch is popular for his painting “The Scream”. There are 4 variations of The Scream all over the world. 3 lie in Norway, while one is owned by a personal collector and among them is right here in Bergen. Bergen has his pen and ink variation which is really special to see.
Even if you are not a museum enthusiast, there is something rather interesting to see an initial masterpiece like The Scream. It was the primary factor we went to the Kode Museums and while seeing The Scream was interesting, we took pleasure in the whole experience. Make certain to a minimum of go inside Kode 3.
8. Author Edvard Grieg Museum– Troldhaugen
After investing 2 days in Bergen on our own, we joined our trip group for a journey to Troldhaugen where the popular author Edvard Grieg invested his days composing music. I should admit that my understanding of authors does not extend much beyond Bach and Beethoven. However I wondered when our guide Derek informed us Grieg was Norway’s most popular author and wished to find out more.
When you go to Bergen, make certain to put this countryside museum on your list. It was remarkable. The museum was the previous home and home of Edvard Grieg where he composed and composed his music. The trip takes you through his house and likewise outdoors to his sanctuary where all the magic took place.
Among the more special things to do in Bergen is to participate in a performance in the auditorium of the museum. Every day throughout the summertime, live music is carried out in its auditorium playing chamber music and music from the author. You can take a look at the schedule here.
Edvard Grieg was more popular than Strauss
To offer you a concept of how popular he remained in his day, Edvard Grieg was used $20,000 USD to carry out in America. He had dreadful seasickness, so he turned it down and they changed him with Strauss who was just paid $6,000. If you wish to listen to some Grieg you can take a look at a few of his music here.
Examine place on Google Maps. You can take mass transit out to Troldhaugen however the Bergen City Card uses totally free transport and entryway to museums in Bergen. You can buy 24, 48 or 72 hour passes. More information here. (totally free cancellation as much as 24 hr notification)
9. Old Bergen Museum
Found simply a couple of km beyond town the Old Bergen Museum is a collection of 40 wood homes from the 18th and 19th centuries. It is Europe’s biggest wood city. Go back in time as stars worn historic outfits reenact what life resembled. There’s likewise a charming park to go to for a walk.
10. Check Out the Fish Market
Norwegian culture was developed on fishing and Bergen’s fish market is among Norway’s most popular. If you do not welcome the fish culture, you’ll be missing out on a great deal of what makes Norway tick. The Bergen fish market goes back to the 1200s and today merchants still offer their fresh catch of the day as they have for centuries. The marketplace lines the waterside and deserves walking through to take a look at the dried cod hanging from the fluorescent lights.
Among the most popular things to do in Bergen is to get a meal at The Fish Market. With patio areas lining the waterside, the Fish Market has an exceptional environment for supper. Include its fresh and scrumptious seafood and you have a remarkable minute in Norway’s a lot of stunning city. My favored option was the pail of muscles.
11. Bergenhus Fortress
Found on the waterside, the Bergenhus Fortress is a historical castle. Going back to the 1500s, it is among the best-preserved stone forts in the nation. There are turning displays inside the fortress and it is totally free to go into. It has a long military history with it continuously being kept from the 1500s to 1700. In 1665, an excellent fight was battled here in between the British and Dutch with Bergen supporting the Dutch throughout the Fight of Vågen.
In The Second World War the Germans utilized it as their head office. Its roofing was ruined in a surge however it was brought back after the war.
12. Rosenkrantz Tower
Among the more popular destinations inside the fortress is Rosenkrantz Tower. It was built by Erik Rosenkrantz, the guv of Bergen Castle at the time. Trips of the tower deal outstanding views of the harbor and run daily on the hour taking you up the tower and to Haakon’s Hall.
Take a self-guided audio strolling trip to check out the Bergen Fortress and the historical structures and harbour of Bergen with this mp3 guide. Download and get Information here
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13. Bergen Maritime Museum
Another not to miss out on museum in Bergen is the Maritime Museum. It is among Norway’s earliest museums that traces the thousand-year history of Norway’s relationship with the sea. With the appeal of Vikings and the Last Kingdom, this is absolutely an emphasize as you will see reproductions of a Viking ship and other souvenirs through the ages.
14. Leprosy Museum
There are numerous museums in Bergen and among the more special museums is the Leprosy Museum. Found in St. George’s (St Jørgen’s) Health center the Leprosy Museums commemorates those who struggled with Leprosy from the 15th to 20th centuries. In between 1850 and 1900, Bergen dealt with the biggest concentration of Leprosy clients in Europe. It is not far from the town hall and admission is consisted of in the Bergen Card. If it is drizzling, this is an excellent alternative for an indoor trip.
The Bergen Card is an excellent method to bundle a lot of the leading traveler destinations in Bergen into an economical bundle. Information here. it consists of transport on the light rail, a fjord cruise, a Bergen city cruise, Mount Floyen Funicular, The Bergen Fish Tank, Kode Museums and far more.
Field Trip from Bergen
The Norwegian Fjords have actually been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Website and Bergen lies in the heart of the Fjords. It is not surprising that that numerous Scandinavian trips start in Bergen. You can reserve this Fjord Trip that consists of a Fjord cruise and the flam train.
This is supreme Norway in a Nutshell trip. It takes you through Nærøyfjord, among the narrowest fjords in Europe that is surrounded by high mountains to Flåm. Here you’ll capture the Flåm Train which is among the world’s steepest trains. It’s a lovely train journey with incredible landscapes and you will have the ability to hop off to take in the spectacular Kjosfossen Waterfall.
15. Fjord Cruise
Bergen is the jumping-off point for checking out Norway’s most popular fjords and if you are checking out Norway for the very first time, you should make certain you take a minimum of one cruise through its incredible fjords. It’s from Bergen that you can take “Norway in a Nutshell” trip and be back in Bergen in time for supper. Norway in a Nutshell was consisted of in our Proceed Trip where we captured a train to Voss. We then got on a bus that took us through the beautiful mountains en-route to Gudvangen for our journey through the UNESCO-protected Nærøyfjord.
The journey consists of big salami transport from Bergen with simple cancellation and last minute reservations. Information here.
It was here that we got on a ferryboat and took in the spectacular fjords towering 1800 meters above the sea. Taking in the towering canyons damp with the mist of the early morning. Waving to regional Norwegians that tackle their day-to-day regimens in the little towns that dot this outstanding landscape.
This is what Norway is everything about. I might have travelled for days amongst these giants, however another experience waited for on our train flight back to Bergen.
You can reserve Fjord trips from downtown Bergen or you can reserve beforehand from GetYourGuide. This 11 personal trip takes you to the exact same path that we did. Information here.
16. Flåm Train
Our journey house ended along the Flåm Train, the steepest train worldwide where we were dealt with to stunning views of the mountains. It is thought about among the most stunning rail journeys worldwide.
17. Fantoft Stave Church
Decorative Stave Churches can be discovered throughout Norway and the Fantoft Stave Church is among the most popular. Found simply beyond Bergen it goes back to 1150. It was a victim of arson in 1992 and rebuilt, however it is an excellent display screen of this architectural design. It was initially situated in the Sogn district in Fortun Town however was relocated to simply outdoors Bergen.
Discover it on Google Maps here. Your Bergen City Card will offer you access to the Fantoft Stave Church and access to transit to arrive. Information here.
Where to Remain In Bergen
The Clarion Hotel was an exceptional place in Bergen specifically if it is your very first time in Bergen. It was likewise an area with contemporary spaces, great dining, and an exceptional bar neglecting the port. This was our base for checking out Bergen and checking out the city we did! Have a look at rates on TripAdvisor or Booking.com
Other Places to Remain In Bergen
When searching for where to remain in Bergen, we suggest a hotel with a main place that is within strolling range to the town hall.
Hanseatic Hotel– Found in Bryggen this is an unique historical hotel that is within strolling range to the Town hall. It was developed within the historical Finnegaarden Trading Home and has actually kept its historical feel with its old wood walls and historical bar. You feel as if you are remaining in a part of history.
Thon Hotel Rosenkrantz Bergen– Found in the historic town hall of Bergen, simply a couple of actions from Bryggen, the Fish Market and Fløibanen this is an exceptional place. A cool function is the complimentary snack served Monday-Thursday in between 6-9 PM in the lounge.
Go To Bergen
This post remains in collaboration with Proceed Tours who sponsored our journey to Scandinavia. As normal, all our viewpoints are our own. With more than 150 assisted trips throughout all 7 continents, Go Ahead Tours has actually committed travel websites for both U.S. and Canadian tourists.